… Skipper Hardyal not taking opponents for granted

By Frederick Halley
THE so far indomitable Regal Legends, who have been ruling the roost since their entry into Over-50 category in 2020, are once again hot favourites to cart off championship honours at the sixth edition of the Prime Minister T20 Softball tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League in collaboration with Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Sport. The tourney bowls off on Friday, November 11 at various venues around Georgetown.

However, despite the favourites-tag, long-standing skipper Mahendra Hardyal is not taking any of the other teams for granted. According to Hardyal, he’s aware that Regal Legends are being targeted and as such they are guarding against being complacent.

Hardyal disclosed that their latest triumph in the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSC) annual Independence Cup, played last July in the ‘Big Apple’, was certainly a wake-up call for his players.

After suffering a shock preliminary-round defeat to the hosts, Regal Legends bounced back to win the final in a nail-biting close encounter versus the same opponents.
Set 156 for victory, Regal Legends achieved the target with three balls to spare, losing five wickets in the process. Apart from the loss in the preliminary round, they had made light work of their other opponents.

Earlier in the year, Regal Legends were again tested by Toronto Blizzards in the South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFSCL) tournament, played in the ‘Sunshine State’, before being rescued by a pugnacious innings from the no-nonsense Eric Thomas.

In a final, which could be described as a tale of two halves, Regal Legends were staring down the barrel at 56 for four after the first 10 overs. With the entrance of Thomas, the complexion of the game changed dramatically.

The experienced Eoin Abel and Thomas started the recovery process. However, after Abel went for 28 at 99 for six, it was the Thomas show.

The left-hander, with what could be described as brute force, proceeded to bludgeon the Toronto Blizzards’ bowling, taking a special liking for former Canadian World Cup player, Desmond Chumney, blasting him for six sixes in his lone over.

Thomas, who was eventually bowled by Rabindra Parasnauth for 63 off a mere 14 deliveries, struck nine huge sixes and a four, allowing his team to add a further 140 runs in the last 10 overs to end on an imposing 196 for nine. In reply, Toronto Blizzards slumped to 125 all out, losing by 69 runs.

In last year’s Prime Minister T20 final, played for the first time at the Guyana National Stadium, Regal Legends completed an emphatic 92-run victory over archrivals Mike’s Wellman.

Winning the toss and batting, Regal Legends reached 171 for six in their allotted 20 overs before Wellman succumbed to 79 all out in 17.2 overs in another disappointing performance.

Wellman skipper Wayne Jones, who has since joined Regal after the unfortunate passing of Lakhram ‘Mike’ Singh, was the only shining light with 26.

Earlier, Regal Legends’ innings was built around fine knocks from Ramesh Deonarine (43) and the consistent Uniss Yusuf (35).

Apart from NYSCL Legends, Regal Legends are expected to face stiff opposition from among others, Parika Defenders who will be boosted with the inclusion of former Guyana Under-19 player, Troy Gobin, who was the leading batter in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) 2022 Over-50 season.

The other teams scheduled to be in contention are Trophy Stall Legends, East Coast Legends, Toucana Rangers, Invaders and Jai Hind Jaguars.

The winners of the Legends, Masters Over-40, Open All Stars categories will waltz away with a huge $600 000 first prize and a trophy while the runners-up collect $50 000 and a trophy. Each man-of-the-match gets a trophy. The MVP in the All Stars Open is guaranteed a 50-inch flat screen television, the same as the Over-40 Masters winner while the Legends Over-50 MVP receives a three-piece sofa.